VILLAGE LIFE IN TUSCANY ITINERARY

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1
Depart the U.S. for Florence, Italy.

Day 2
Florence and Siena. Arrive in Florence, transfer to the fortified medieval town of Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and check into the charming Hotel Athena. This evening, gather for a welcome reception featuring Tuscany’s famous wines and cheeses, followed by dinner.

Day 3
Excursion - Siena. Located in the heart of central Tuscany amid rolling hills dotted with Renaissance villas, old farmhouses, and scenic vineyards, the perfectly preserved medieval walled town of Siena is built on seven hills. In the town center, narrow cobblestone passages lead to the Piazza del Campo, site of Tuscany’s most famous festival, the Palio horseback race, which has been held here since 1283. During a morning walking tour, discover Siena’s most important landmarks, including the impressive 330-foot-high Torre del Mangia bell tower, completed in 1348, and the Palazzo Pubblico, Siena’s medieval Town Hall, which houses an impressive collection of frescoes by Siena’s greatest artists. Continue to Siena’s Duomo, a monumental Gothic cathedral renowned for its splendid inlaid marble floors and the immaculate statues of prophets along the façade sculpted by Giovanni Pisano in the 1290s.

Exclusive Enrichment - Hear about the secrets to Tuscany's legendary cuisine during a hands-on cooking class in a local culinary institute, followed by dinner.

Exclusive Enrichment - Learn more about the important role played in Sienese society by the town's 17 contrade (municipal districts) during a special guided walk through local neighborhoods.

Day 4
Excursion - Journey south of Siena to the 12th-century Abbey of Sant'Antimo and the scenic medieval hilltop of Montalcino.

Exclusive Enrichment - Attend a performance of Gregorian chants by the monks of Sant'Antimo.

Day 5
Excursion - Florence. Spend a full day exploring the unrivaled architectural and artistic treasures of Florence, center of the Italian Renaissance and home of some of Western Civilization’s greatest artistic masters, including Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto di Bondone, Filippo Brunelleschi and Michelangelo Buonarroti. Step back into the Age of the Medicis as you view Florence’s most notable landmarks — the 13th-century Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, crowned by Brunelleschi’s soaring dome; the octagonal Baptistry, an architectural jewel; and the Casa di Dante, a restored medieval Florentine tower house. In the Galleria dell’ Accademia, admire Michelangelo’s David, the crowning achievement of Renaissance sculpture. Following lunch in a restaurant, there will be some free time to enjoy Florence’s famous shops, cafes and endless cultural attractions on your own.

Day 6
Enjoy a free day relaxing and pursuing individual interests. An optional excursion to the ancient walled city of Lucca and Pisa, site of the legendary “Leaning Tower,” will be offered.

Day 7
Excursion - Set out on a scenic drive through the rolling hills of central Tuscany to Chianti, Italy’s most prestigious wine-producing region. Visit two of Tuscany's most prestigious wine-producing cneters, Greve and Volpaia. Volpaia, a classic medieval fortified hamlet, is now entirely incorporated into the Castello di Volpaia winery. Following a tour of the cellars, savor a sumptuous lunch of Tuscan specialties and sample local vintages during a specially arranged wine tasting.

Day 8
Excursion - Journey to San Gimignano, one of the best-preserved and most beautiful medieval towns in Italy. Known as the “City of Beautiful Towers” for its distinctive campanile-lined skyline, San Gimignano was one of the most prosperous towns in the region during the Middle Ages, when it was located on a major pilgrimage route to Rome. Your morning tour begins in the Piazza della Cisterna, the town’s central square, lined with medieval towers and named after the well in its center. Continue with a visit to the Piazza del Duomo, and see spectacular monuments as the Palazzo Vecchio del Podestà with its 166-foot-high tower, and the Museo Civico, a small but superb museum featuring exquisite Renaissance frescoes, located in the Palazzo de Popolo (Town Hall), where city business has been conducted since the 13th century. After lunch and some free time to peruse San Gimignano’s renowned shops and charming streets, return to Siena.

Exclusive Enrichment - Meet with local residents during a specially arranged Village Forum to learn about everyday life in Tuscany.

Day 9
Transfer to Florence for your return flight to the U.S.